The Gathered Table: Thanksgiving Style
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-28T15:43:13-04:00Thanksgiving is Almost Here We are getting closer and closer to Thanksgiving. By far, this is my favorite holiday. The main reason is that it is one of [...]
A Nutcracker Christmas Table
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:16:48-04:00Holly Jolly Christmas 2024 The Nutcracker ballet came to mind when thinking about this year's Christmas theme. After all, how many of us have childhood [...]
My Mom’s Dream Table
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:17:29-04:00Table for Plenty Always the consummate hostess, my mom envisioned a dining room table that would seat plenty of guests. After many years of searching, I [...]
Create A Meaningful High Holiday Table
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:21:25-04:00As the Jewish New Year approaches, it is the perfect time to gather with loved ones and celebrate this holy occasion in a way that resonates deeply with [...]
FamJam: Costa Rica
Janice Weinsoff2024-01-19T13:37:18-05:00Costa Rica, It Is After close to 20 years of traveling out west for a snow trip, we decided to switch it up to a closer, tropical vacation. Costa Rica, [...]
What To Wear In The French Riviera
Janice Weinsoff2023-08-04T15:21:54-04:00Chic and Practical Outfit Ideas for Every Occasion When you think about what people wear while vacationing on the French Riviera, the words glamour, ele [...]
Are You Ready for Hallmark Holiday Movies?
Janice Weinsoff2023-10-27T14:30:42-04:00This was my first Hallmark experience so I had no idea they had a whole arsenal of movies. There were winter-themed movies, Valentine’s Day, of course, Spring, Summer, Wedding, Fall Harvest, and then the anticipated 7 night Thanksgiving event leading up to Christmas. I could now spend the entire year sucked into the Vortex of Hallmark.
My Top 10 Travel Item Recommendations
Janice Weinsoff2023-04-28T14:13:02-04:00Simple Travel Items To Make Traveling Less Complicated It is common knowledge that air travel is complicated these days. However, Traveling is my thera [...]
Vacations With Your Adult Kids
Janice Weinsoff2023-01-17T14:55:25-05:00Where to Start A vacation with your adult kids is complicated. First, you need to plan around everyone’s work schedules. Second, are you all traveling f [...]
Eagle’s Nest Luxury Retreat Sundance
Janice Weinsoff2023-01-18T14:26:42-05:00The Most Amazing Place We've Ever Rented! FamJam 2022 took us to Sundance and the most incredible house we ever rented. Nestled in the mountain communi [...]
Sundance Is Something Special
Janice Weinsoff2023-02-20T16:15:42-05:00How Did We End Up In Sundance? We have had countless winter ski trips to Utah, but it was always Park City. Planning for our 2022 FamJam started six mon [...]
Visiting New York City In December
Janice Weinsoff2021-12-15T18:06:51-05:00A December to Remember Visiting New York City in December is magical. From the holiday markets to the window displays, you should try to experience the [...]
Magic in the Hamptons ♪♪
Janice Weinsoff2023-06-06T14:02:23-04:00Three Times A Charm You may wonder why a person who has lived in South Florida for almost 50 years would choose to go to a beach area for a vacation. No [...]
A Mindful New Year
Janice Weinsoff2022-10-03T13:13:11-04:00What Are Your Traditions? And just like that, it is time to bring in the new year. Many of us ring in the new year with a resolution. I am looking forwa [...]
Red, White, & Buffet July 4th Party
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:21:39-04:00Easy July 4th Party Ideas July 4th is right around the corner. We've got a July 4th table for small, intimate gatherings that will sparkle and shine. Bu [...]
My Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Recs
Janice Weinsoff2023-06-30T14:35:57-04:00A Mother-Daughter Tradition It has been a tradition of ours to go to the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. They used to really make a big deal about it with a [...]
An Amazing Thai Inspired Dish
Janice Weinsoff2021-03-02T10:04:20-05:00Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp in Coconut Milk My daughters love to introduce me to food bloggers. The most recent introduction is the website Half-Baked Ha [...]
Charcuterie Boards That Are Works of Art
Janice Weinsoff2020-12-08T08:50:08-05:00I am not sure if you noticed, but charcuterie boards are all the rage. My young adult daughters have been making charcuterie boards for years. My nephew has one almost every Friday with wine (according to his IG stories); he loves them so much, I recently bought him a large bamboo cheese board with serving tools. Head to Instagram and search under #charcuterieboard and you are bound to see some works of art. A typical charcuterie, the word derived from the French words that mean flesh and cooked, consists of mainly meats and cheeses. These boards have progressed to some of the most decadent and sweet hot cocoa holiday charcuterie boards.
This Halloween I’m Creepin’ It Real
Janice Weinsoff2021-11-09T10:45:38-05:00Basic Witch Full disclosure… Halloween is my least favorite holiday. But, I do get my daughters a little something. It's typically some candy and a smal [...]
Galentine’s Day Menu
Janice Weinsoff2022-02-10T18:09:13-05:00Food is Love I am celebrating the amazing friends in my life by planning a delicious Galentine's Day menu. There will be plenty of healthy food. But the [...]
Passover 2022
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:22:18-04:00Eerily Similar to Our World Today Passover is less than a month away and yet, it seems especially fitting this year. Passover commemorates the exodus of [...]
Passover Seder Table
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:22:44-04:00Formal or Elegantly Easy For this year’s Passover Seder table, I decided to put together two different tables. The first is a formal setting for a smal [...]
Passover Seder Meal
Janice Weinsoff2022-04-07T13:55:30-04:00Old Traditions Traditionally, my family’s Passover meal is old school. Matzoh ball soup, gefilte fish, brisket, chicken shufra, potato kiegel, and sprin [...]
Mother’s Day
Janice Weinsoff2022-08-04T16:09:49-04:00Mom Life I have been a mom to two daughters for half my entire life. It's a role I cherish. And, I'm fortunate that my mom, who just turned 90, is in d [...]
Setting A Beautifully Decorated Mother’s Day Table
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:23:11-04:00Moms That Brunch I am blessed to be able to share Mother's Day with my mom and my aunts. There is something special about having these strong women in m [...]
It’s Dad’s Day
Janice Weinsoff2022-06-09T12:54:59-04:00Celebrating the Special Dad in Your Life It’s dad’s turn to take the spotlight. On June 19th, it’s time to grab the craft beer, cigars, and golf clubs a [...]
Happiest Time of the Year
Michelle Balaun2022-10-03T13:26:37-04:00We are approaching what is considered to be the happiest time of the year...Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, other holidays, New Year’s… for many of us, it is a time of joy, reflection, and family. Holidays can also be a very difficult time for those who are alone and those who have lost someone. I was raised in a family that always welcomed friends to share in our family holiday time so now to be facing the holidays while trying to balance protecting our matriarchs in the family, is forcing us to redefine how we celebrate.
2022 Thanksgiving Table Decor
Michelle Balaun2024-10-14T13:27:10-04:00In case you did not already know, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year even in Florida. Sure there is no fall foliage minus the brown palm fronds that seem to drop this time of year and, in my 48 years of living down here, the weather typically is in the high 70’s or low 80’s. Even with the lack of fall colors everywhere, the holiday still holds a special place in my heart. Throughout my entire life, my mom has always hosted Thanksgiving dinner. We were welcome to include friends that did not have a place to celebrate. My mom would find a way to make tables fit even if it meant moving furniture out of the way (that’s a whole other story).
Our 2022 Hanukkah Tree
Janice Weinsoff2022-12-06T16:24:07-05:00Light, laughter, and lots of latkes This is my third year putting up a holiday Hanukkah tree. Yes, I have adopted a Christmas custom and applied it to H [...]
Hanukkah Decor 2022
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:27:31-04:00Hanukkah Past I've just completed my Hanukkah Decor 2022. I love decorating for Hanukkah. I mean, I go all out. A silver, blue & gold Hanukkah tree [...]
That’s A Wrap
Janice Weinsoff2022-12-08T15:14:58-05:00Hanukkah Gift Wrapping Ideas I'm the mom of two grown adult daughters. This means the wrapping paper you used when they were young just won't cut it. T [...]
2021 Hanukkah Table Decor
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:28:21-04:00What Inspired My Table Decor? My intention for the holidays this year is to make it warm & inviting and joyful. To be honest, after a toned-down Han [...]
Christmas Tablescape
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:28:42-04:00Joy To The World You may have sensed that I love decorating my dining room table for the holidays. I’ve decorated for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Pa [...]
Stocking Stuffers under $30
Janice Weinsoff2024-02-29T14:39:52-05:00Adult Kids Love Stocking Stuffers! Why does a Jewish mom have Hannukah stockings? It's not complicated... I love the holidays. Okay, they look like Chri [...]
Lend A Helping Hand
Janice Weinsoff2023-12-05T15:56:32-05:00Give Joy 🎄 As someone who is Jewish, I understand the concept of Tzedakah or charitable giving. In these difficult times, it is more important than eve [...]
Why I Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Janice Weinsoff2022-02-24T13:45:46-05:00Valentine’s Day. A day to let others know you love them whether a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, friends - whomever you want to send a little love. As far back as I can remember, I always celebrated Valentines' Day; it was a tradition I grew up with and continued when I became a mom.
Galentine’s Day Table Décor & Gifts
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:29:06-04:00Celebrating with My Girl Squad Valentine’s Day is less than a month away. Show gratitude for the strong women in your life by throwing a Galentine’s Day [...]
Setting A Special Passover Table
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:29:29-04:00Passover 2023 How is it that Passover is less than two weeks away? Setting a special Passover table involves a few key elements, creating a warm and we [...]
Valentine’s Day Table Décor 💟
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:29:56-04:00Showing the Love Next month, I’m having my friends over for a Galentine’s Day celebration. My Valentine's Day table decor became the central focus. For [...]
Show Your Love This Mother’s Day 2023
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:30:22-04:00Celebrate the Unconditional Love of Mother’s Day Mother’s Day’s originated to celebrate the women who “championed efforts toward better health, welfare, [...]
Thanksgiving Tablescape Inspiration
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:30:45-04:00From Farm to Feast It is hard to believe that it is almost Thanksgiving. When looking for Thanksgiving tablescape inspiration for 2023, I came up with t [...]
Christmas Table Decorations 2023
Janice Weinsoff2024-10-14T13:31:14-04:00A Jewish Girl's Guide to Setting A Christmas Table I know, it’s August. Why am I posting my Christmas table decorations? I’m late. Typically, I decorate [...]
2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Michelle Balaun2023-11-13T12:48:07-05:00I cannot believe that the holidays are approaching. For those that celebrate Hannukah, the first night is December 19th with Christmas less than a week later. I don’t know about you, but my email and actual mailbox, is filled with catalogs and discount coupons. Black Friday deals are out earlier than they have ever been. The shopping season has begun.
Gift-Cards for the Hard-To-Gift In Your Life
Janice Weinsoff2023-11-17T11:09:05-05:00Why Gift Cards Make Great Gifts While there is still time to find gifts for those on your holiday list, between low inventory, and shipping delays, it m [...]
2023 Hanukkah Decor
Janice Weinsoff2023-11-16T15:12:00-05:00The Festival of Lights This year, Hanukkah begins early, on December 7, 2023. It feels different. Much light is needed for this festival of lights. My 2 [...]
Spread Light This Holiday Season
Janice Weinsoff2023-12-05T15:43:15-05:00With Love & Joy This is my favorite time of year… Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. My birthday also falls a few days before Christmas. It is a season of j [...]
Food52 Holiday Swap
Janice Weinsoff2023-10-31T16:25:11-04:00A Secret Santa for Food Lovers I’m a big fan of the website Food52. It is a community of food lovers from all over to share recipes. I was incredibly ex [...]
Hanukkah Recipes Everyone Will Love
Janice Weinsoff2021-11-19T06:26:32-05:00Latkes, Vodka & More I’ve been testing out various Hanukkah recipes for this year’s holiday. Do I stick with tradition? Do I try some modern takes o [...]